Literacy Council wins Lane Fund grant

Published: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 9:52 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 9:52 a.m.

Blue Ridge Literacy Council is one of six nonprofits in the region to be awarded a grant from the Melvin R. Lane Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

The mission of the fund is to promote access to quality health care, safe and affordable housing and supportive social services for young, elderly and disabled people. The program helps human service organizations improve their operations, become more collaborative and secure their future to improve lives for disadvantaged residents.

BRLC will receive $50,000 a year for three years to support capacity building.

“The structure of the Lane Fund will allow the Literacy Council to quickly transition to a more efficient and effective provider of instructional services to adult learners,” said Steve Kirkland, executive director of BRLC.

The multi-year grants are made possible through the Melvin R. Lane Fund, created by Melvin and Georgianna Lane, longtime residents of Henderson County.

The Community Foundation is a permanent regional resource that focuses discretionary resources on people in need, early childhood development, food and farming, and preserving natural and cultural resources. Visit www.cfwnc.org for more information.

For more information on Blue Ridge Literacy Council or to become a volunteer tutor or student, or to donate, call 828-696-3811, write to P.O. Box 1728, Hendersonville, NC 28793, or visit www.litcouncil.org.

<p>Blue Ridge Literacy Council is one of six nonprofits in the region to be awarded a grant from the Melvin R. Lane Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.</p><p>The mission of the fund is to promote access to quality health care, safe and affordable housing and supportive social services for young, elderly and disabled people. The program helps human service organizations improve their operations, become more collaborative and secure their future to improve lives for disadvantaged residents.</p><p>BRLC will receive $50,000 a year for three years to support capacity building.</p><p>“The structure of the Lane Fund will allow the Literacy Council to quickly transition to a more efficient and effective provider of instructional services to adult learners,” said Steve Kirkland, executive director of BRLC.</p><p>“Special focus for year one will be upgrading our information technology, updating strategic plans, increased marketing and branding of our services and the need for additional tutors, board development, formalizing fundraising plans and adding a new staff position,” added Barb Wilcox, BRLC board president.</p><p>The multi-year grants are made possible through the Melvin R. Lane Fund, created by Melvin and Georgianna Lane, longtime residents of Henderson County.</p><p>The Community Foundation is a permanent regional resource that focuses discretionary resources on people in need, early childhood development, food and farming, and preserving natural and cultural resources. Visit www.cfwnc.org for more information.</p><p>For more information on Blue Ridge Literacy Council or to become a volunteer tutor or student, or to donate, call 828-696-3811, write to P.O. Box 1728, Hendersonville, NC 28793, or visit www.litcouncil.org.</p>